Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-09-24
q blow between the eyes that cracked like
pistol shot. Buck fell like an overturned

his fallen foe, Earnham united the COW ant
walked on down the mud road with her.
Buck did not rise. He uttered Nc wore
or syllable. he did not appear chagrinst
at his humiliation. He did not abuse Earn
ham. The rest Of the boys stood in con
strained and awkward silence. not knowing
how to act in such case. Presently Buci
rolled over upon his stomach. elevated hi
eyes and inserted his thumb into his mouth
He was evidently thinking in his vague
slow way, and moved his feet from side t.
side. Suddenly something In the taste o
the thumb attracted him. He looked dowr
and saw that ii was covered with blood
from his nose. 1t seemed ~ though the
idea had never occurred to him before.
He hit me. didn't he ?" he said. In much
the same tone that hs would have used il
asking to be helped at the table.
He did" answered the five boys in sol
smn chorus.
Buck said nothing. but stared stolidl,
ahead of him in the direction that Earnhr N
had taken. There were evidesces in hi.
face that an idea was approaching the ter
minatiOn Of its CESSATION and was soon tC
be born. He looked around duly once a.
his companions and opened his mouth ~ il
TO speak, but after holding his lips an inch
apart . full minute, he changed his notion
about the matter and replaced his thumb.
This thumb was pallid from much sucking.
do you fellers remember that tramp
wot we hung ere Oncet?." Buck finally
asked. NO. l knows yer don't, case |
was the only feller outen bed. Curiousest
sight y'ever see. Let's tease Earnum a
little same way. We nsed'n' hurt him.
We en- cut him down plenty time"
There was silence. Ii was plain the
boys didn't ike the idea, but who among
them dare dif1er from Buck bilhams sug-
gestions.
Buck didn't look around at the group. be-
tween the individuals OF when there was
oelng telegraphed some lively indications OF
disapproval. Buck never dreamed Of any
one opposing MS Idea.
We'll tie one loop around his waist" "
saic Buck. SOS e strain won't all come On
ms neck. III nx II all right. He hit me.
didn't lie, ne asked. with sudden DARK
enlnS IN his cold eyes.
That's wOt he did, Buck" answered one
Of the boys, Is he hitched his home made
suspenders.
He did," chorused the other four, mood
lily.
Buck said nothing. but taking q very dirty
of unbleached muslin from
his pocket, begun idly to twist it into a roll.
Way down the mud road sounded the cher
ry whistle of Frank Earnham. as he re-
turned from the clearing in which lie had
placed the COW. He still held the tether-
rope in his hands.
He walked straight up to Buck and ex-
tending his hands exclaimed heartily:
I'm sorry struck you. Buck; 1 want to
be your friend"
For answer. Buck put out both hands
with sudden cordiality, but no accession of
expression to his face. Esrnbam dropped
the rope with a look of quick surprise. and
both his hands. Buck grasped
each of the boys wrists frnIy and
them backward BY a quick. cruel,
powerful motion that made Earnham'.
joints crack and his face bIanch. In an in
>tant, he was fiat on the ground. face down
ward. Buck bent the boys arms over his
back, placed his knee on them. and an in
tests with his handkerchief. used as gag.
who's got another hahdk'chief ?" he
asked. after a moments thought.
Another boy produced one that rivalled
Bucks in appearance, and with il Earn
hams hands were tied behind his back
Buck helped him TO his feet, picked up the
rope. and started with him down the road
10 where an oak tree grew. One isolated
branch shot out below the rest. about ten
feet from the ground.
Earnham gurgled behind the gag. Buck
thought 1t might be an inquiry, and said,
briefly:
We're going to hang you. Amt we, fel-
lers?'
The boys were silent.
Buck halted his prisoner. and turning
around. faced the boys.
Il said Amt we" Didn't you hear?" in
! cold. even tone. The boys knew Its
meaning.
Yes. we are goin' ter hang him."
answered one OF them. Is he dropped his
Eyes.
That's wot We be, said the rest.
A look OF swift terror swept over the
'aptive boys face. The next minute they
cached the tree.
The boy hung suspended between earth
and heaven. and Buck tied the tether-rope
which he had tossed over the limb of the
,ak. around the main trunk. The boys
hen stood of and watched with uneasy
yrlns on their faces. All except Buck. He
stood with his thumb in his mouth and his
lace as vacant as usual.
Did you run one loop aroun' his waist?"
asked one boy. with sudden suspicion.
Il tole yer l would. said Buck, without
his thumb. And he had.
Earnham oscillated back and forward,
et he WA, in no main Ruck w,Ikad .JowIy
md idly around behind him. and. reaching
Ip. united the loop . a,out the waist.
In an instant Earnham', leg, shot I'D